Racing News  

Champions Cup - Form Comments

03/12/2015

G1 - 1800m – Dirt

1

Nonkono Yume

Top three-year-old dirt runner with three straight graded stakes success in the G3 Unicorn Stakes (1600m) in June, JPN G1 Japan Dirt Derby (2000m) in July and G3 Musashino Stakes (1600m) in November latest.  Musashino Stakes was first time against older horses but showed brilliant acceleration.  Races held up.  Versatile ground-wise. 

2

Sound True

Very consistent dirt horse from 1600m to 1800m. Notched two straight wins in the JPN G2 Nippon TV Hai (1800m) in October before finishing runner-up to Copano Rickey in the JPN G1 JBC Classic (2000m) latest.  Versatile ground-wise.  Races held up.  Likes left-handed course. 

3

Wonder Acute

Three-time runner-up in this race in 2011, 2012 & 2013. The nine-year-old showed a strong late kick when 3rd in the JPN G1 Nambu Hai in October latest. 13 wins from 46 career starts, including three JPN G1 wins. Always jumps quickly from the gate and can set the pace or race from midfield.  Versatile ground-wise. 

4

Sambista

Japan’s top dirt mare has eight starts this year for three wins, two 2nds and one 3rd.  Finished 4th in this race last year.  Finished 5L 2nd over this distance in JPN G1 JBC Ladies’ Classic on 3 Nov, a race that she won last year. A very consistent and powerful mare and tactically versatile. Races midfield or better than midfield.  No track worries.

5

Nihonpiro Ours

Winner of this race in 2012.  Winless since his success in the JPN G2 Diolite Kinen (2400m) at Funabashi in March 2014.  The eight-year-old horse seems to have lost his brilliance. Comes in off an 8th-place in the JPN G1 JBC Classic in November latest.  Races close to speed and handles any track going. 

6

Namura Victor

Last year’s Champions Cup runner-up. 3rd in the G3 Antares Stakes in April before 4th in the G3 Heian Stakes in May.  Returned from five-month spell and finished 3rd in the G3 Sirius Stakes latest.  Hold up runner and no track worries.

7

Copano Rickey

Five-time G1/JPN G1 winner. Notched 2nd successive victory in 2015 G1 February Stakes. Returned from seven-month spell to run 10L 3rd in the JPN G2 Nippon TV Hai (1800m) in October. He then made all over 2000m, beating last year’s champion dirt horse Hokko Tarumae, for a 2nd successive win in the JPN G1 JBC Classic latest on 3 Nov.  Races prominent and sometimes sits handy.  No track worries.

8

Danon Liberty

Shifted from turf to dirt in August for one win and two seconds in four starts on the surface.  Comes off a 6th-place in the G3 Miyako Stakes (1800m) on 8 November latest.  Hold up runner and versatile track-wise. 

9

Roman Legend

Ran 1.25L 3rd behind Hokko Tarumae in this race last year. Winless since the G3 Elm Stakes (1700m) last July but seemed to be back to form to finish third in the G3 Heian Stakes (1900m) in May.  Started off his autumn campaign in the G3 Miyako Stakes (1800m) in November where he placed third latest.  Races better than midfield.  No track worries.

10

Grape Brandy

Sole G1 win came in the 2013 G1 February Stakes. After second-place in the G3 Elm Stakes (1700m) in August, he returned from a spell to finish 5th in the G3 Musashino Stakes (1600m) in November latest.  According to the trainer Takayuki Yasuda, the seven-year-old horse runs well second-up.  The 1800m at Chukyo suits him.  Tactically versatile and no track worries.

11

Corin Berry

Grabbed her first top-class triumph in the JBC Sprint (JPN G1 1200m) last time.  The four-year-old filly will start for the second time over the distance. Handles any track condition.  Usually sets the pace but can sit in handy. 

12

Kurino Star O

This year’s G3 Antares Stakes winner handles any track conditions.  Races prominent or close to speed.  Comes off a fifth-place in the G3 Miyako Stakes (1800m) over a sloppy track. 

13

Hokko Tarumae

Last year’s JRA Best Dirt Horse. Won this race last year and is likely to start favourite this Sunday. He kicked off the season with a win in JPN G1 Kawasaki Kinen (2100m) in January and finished 5th to Prince Bishop in G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) at Meydan. Returned to the Japanese dirt and grabbed his 9th top-class win in JPN G1 Teio Sho (2000m) in June.  He returned from summer vacation and started off the autumn campaign with a third-place in the JPN G1 JBC Classic (2000m). Races close to speed.

14

Gun Pit

Progressed from Class 4 to the cusp of Pattern class since debut in February 2014. Eight career wins, and seven wins from seven starts on all weather track at Sha Tin, all at 1650m. Two starts at beyond 1650m came on turf, latterly when 10th in HKG1 HK Derby (2000m) in March. Bounced back with two wins in fast times to end that campaign. Smashed own track record first-up with easy Class 1 handicap win under 132lb on 18 November. Races held-up. Untested on wet.

15

Grand City

Winless since the 2013 G3 March Stakes. Runner-up first-up this season in the G2 Tokai Stakes (1800m) in January. Below par next three starts. Heads in off 10th-place in JPN G1 JBC Classic in November latest.  Hold up runner.  Versatile ground-wise.

16

Roi Jardin

The four-year-old colt scored his first graded win in the G3 Miyako Stakes (1800m) in November last time.  Six wins and two 2nds from 10 starts on dirt. Has no ground issue and races closed to speed. 

 

 

Related Website�G

Champions Cup

Close

Copyright © 2000-2024 The Hong Kong Jockey Club. All rights reserved.